The Executive Chairman of Olorunda Local Council Development Area, Hon. Ajose Kumayon, has flagged off the 2026 Back to School Programme of the council with the distribution of school bags, exercise books and other writing materials to pupils across selected primary schools in the council.
The programme commenced on Tuesday at Araromi-Ale Primary School, Araromi Ola Community with the distribution of educational materials to the pupils in the school.
The programme is aimed at supporting pupils as they resume the new academic session and easing the financial burden on parents, guardians and sponsors.
The exercise marked Day One of the council’s planned distribution programme, which will continue across the more than 24 primary schools in Olorunda LCDA until all the schools are reached and the educational materials distributed to pupils.
Four primary schools were covered on the first day of the programme.
They are Ansar U Deen Primary School One, Ansar U Deen Primary School Two and Ansar U Deen Primary School Three, all in Araromi-Ale, and Morogbo Primary School.
The Chairman also extended the initiative to Morogbo Junior Grammar School, a newly established secondary school, during an unscheduled visit to the institution, where all the students received four notebooks each.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the chairman said the initiative was introduced to provide practical support to families at the beginning of a new academic session.
He noted that while the cost of individual educational materials might appear modest, the combined cost of school bags, exercise books and other basic learning materials could place considerable pressure on family budgets.
According to the Chairman, the intervention is part of the education and human capital development component of his administration’s RESHAPE Agenda.
He said the council had also supported indigent students through the provision of GCE and UTME forms, while officials of the council had continued to visit schools across upland and riverine communities to identify their educational needs.
Kumayon further disclosed that the council is implementing its Bursary Award Scheme for eligible Olorunda indigenes at undergraduate, master’s and PhD levels.
He assured residents that the administration would continue to pursue practical initiatives and partnerships capable of improving educational outcomes and reducing barriers to learning across the LCDA.
Addressing the pupils, the Chairman urged them to take good care of the materials provided and remain disciplined and focused in their studies.
“Take good care of your bags, books and writing materials. Be disciplined, focused and avoid distractions,” he said.
He also encouraged the pupils not to allow their present circumstances to determine their future, urging them to remain committed to their education and work towards achieving their aspirations.
“Never allow your present circumstances to determine your future,” Kumayon said.
The Chairman commended teachers for their dedication and commitment to the education and development of the children, stressing that educating a child remained a collective responsibility involving government, teachers, parents, guardians and the wider community.
The Education Secretary, Mr. Hontonyon Joel Viyon, commended the council chairman for the initiative, describing the provision of educational materials as a welcome intervention for pupils and families.
Viyon, however, highlighted some areas requiring further attention, including the provision of security guards and perimeter fencing for schools, as well as improved support for schools in riverine communities.
He also called for measures to motivate teachers, noting that their commitment remained vital to achieving improved educational outcomes.
The Baale of Araromi Ola, Chief Temitope Agemo, appreciated the council chairman for bringing the programme to the community and described the initiative as timely and beneficial to pupils and their families.
He called for sustained collaboration among the council, traditional institutions, communities and schools in addressing educational needs at the grassroots.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Bonu John, commended the administration for recognising education as a critical component of grassroots development.
He urged the council to sustain its support for schools and teachers across Olorunda, noting that interventions that directly support pupils could contribute to a better learning environment.
A pupil of School 2, ABS Araromi Ale, Abdulganiyu Fatimu, also expressed appreciation to the council chairman for the gesture, saying the educational materials would support pupils in their studies.
The Chairman thereafter formally flagged off the programme with the distribution of school bags, exercise books and writing materials to the pupils.
The distribution exercise will continue on Wednesday and subsequent days across other primary schools in Olorunda LCDA until all schools covered by the programme are reached.
In attendance were the Vice Chairman, Hon. Bolaji Adele Solomon; Council Treasurer, Mrs. Olayinka Awosinu; Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Ashame Wahab Ayilere.
“Others are councillors and members of the Executive Council, including supervisors; Supervisor for Education, Hon. Afeez Bankole; former Executive Secretary, Akin Ajayi, Headmistress, Mrs. Tafa Afusat; teachers, traditional and community leaders and other education stakeholders.
